Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to attend PM-designate Modi's swearing-in ceremony

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is set to attend PM-designate Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony on Sunday (June 9) evening at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Kharge was extended the event invite, which he has accepted following a meeting with his allies and the party, reported news agency ANI citing sources.

The invite to Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha was extended by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prahlad Joshi on Saturday (June 8).

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Meanwhile, Congress leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari said that he was yet to receive the invite for the ceremony.

"I am the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha. I haven't received any invitation for the swearing-in ceremony of PM-designate Narendra Modi nor have the INDIA alliance partners. To turn the ceremony into an international event, Narendra Modi is more interested in inviting foreign guests," Tiwari said.

This comes after Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh had alleged that only the international leaders were invited to the ceremony and that the INDIA bloc will think about attending the event if and when the invitation is received.

"Only international leaders have been invited for the swearing-in ceremony. Our leaders have not received the invitation yet. When our INDIA alliance leaders receive the invitation, we will think about it," Jairam Ramesh said.

'Have neither received invitation nor will I go,': Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is also an ally of the INDIA bloc said that she would not attend PM-designate Modi's swearing-in ceremony irrespective of the invite.

"I have neither received (the invitation) nor will I go. I have already said that I wish well for the people in the country for not voting for him (PM Modi)," Banerjee said when asked by reporters if she would attend the swearing-in ceremony of PM-designate Narendra Modi on Sunday.

"I am sorry, but I cannot wish well to an unconstitutional, illegal party for forming the government. My best wishes will be for the country," the chief minister added.

BJP leader Narendra Modi is set to take the oath as India's prime minister for the historic third time, equalling Jawaharlal Nehru's record after completing two full terms.

(With inputs from agencies)